Indentation of interlocked assemblies: 3D discrete simulations and experiments

The auto locking structures are a new category of hybrid materials. They consist of periodic pavings of elementary blocks. The geometry of the blocks, the friction between the blocks as well as the boundary conditions applied to the edge of the assembly play a central role in the cohesion of the assembly. The effect of the boundary conditions has been experimentally quantified by performing indentation tests on structures built with cubic …